Orfeu Bertolami | Physics | Outstanding Scientist Award

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Prof. Orfeu Bertolami | Physics | Outstanding Scientist Award

Professor at Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal

Orfeu Bertolami 🇧🇷🇮🇹 is a distinguished theoretical physicist born on January 3, 1959, in São Paulo, Brazil. He is a Full Professor at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Porto 🇵🇹. With over 400 publications 📚 and deep expertise in cosmology, astroparticle physics, and quantum gravity 🌌, he’s recognized globally for advancing fundamental and applied physics in space 🚀. His academic journey spans Oxford, Cambridge, Heidelberg, and Lisbon 🎓, reflecting a rich career in top research institutions. A widower and proud father 👨‍👧, Prof. Bertolami also engages in science awareness through writings and outreach efforts 🌍.

Professional Profile:

Orcid

Scopus

Education and Experience 

  • 🎓 B.Sc. in Physics – University of São Paulo, 1980

  • 📚 M.Sc. in Theoretical Physics – Instituto de Física Teórica, São Paulo, 1983

  • 📐 Advanced Studies – Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, University of Cambridge, UK, 1984

  • 🎓 Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics – University of Oxford, UK, 1987

  • 🧪 Postdoc – University of Heidelberg, Germany (1987–1989)

  • 🧬 Postdoc – Instituto Nacional de Investigação Científica, Portugal (1989–1991)

  • 👨‍🏫 Assistant Professor – Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon (1991–2002)

  • 🔬 Scientific Associate – CERN, Switzerland (1993–1995)

  • 🔬 Scientific Associate – INFN Torino, Italy (1994–1995)

  • 🧠 Habilitation (Agregação) – Instituto Superior Técnico, 1996

  • 🗽 Visiting Scholar – New York University, USA (1999)

  • 👨‍🔬 Associate Professor – Instituto Superior Técnico (2002–2010)

  • 🌠 Full Professor – University of Porto, Portugal (Since 2010)

  • 🌍 Visiting Scholar – Stockholm University, Sweden (2024)

Professional Development 

Prof. Bertolami has continuously advanced his academic and research pursuits through international collaborations and top-tier institutional appointments 🌐. From his early academic formation at Oxford and Cambridge 🏛️ to his research posts at CERN and Heidelberg 🧪, his career reflects a global commitment to scientific excellence. His visiting roles in the U.S. 🇺🇸 and Sweden 🇸🇪 further signify his engagement in cross-disciplinary dialogues. Actively involved in mentoring, publishing, and leading scientific dialogue 📢, he also contributes to public science education 📰. His dynamic career continues to evolve through projects at the intersection of physics, sustainability, and Earth system science 🌎.

Research Focus 

Prof. Orfeu Bertolami’s research bridges the realms of the very large and the very small ✨. He specializes in cosmology, astroparticle physics, quantum and classical gravity, and space-based fundamental physics 🚀. His interest in Earth system physics connects fundamental physics to sustainability and planetary resilience 🌍. His theoretical work provides insights into dark matter, dark energy, and spacetime structure 🌌. With hundreds of peer-reviewed publications 📝, he shapes the international scientific conversation on the origin, structure, and future of the universe 🔬. His interdisciplinary curiosity also integrates physics with broader existential and ecological questions 🌱.

Awards and Honors

  • 🥇 Scientific Associate, CERN Theory Division, Geneva 🇨🇭 (1993–1995)

  • 🏅 Scientific Associate, INFN – Torino, Italy 🇮🇹 (1994–1995)

  • 🎖️ Visiting Scholar, New York University 🇺🇸 (1999)

  • 🌍 Visiting Scholar, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Sweden 🇸🇪 (2024)

  • 📈 Recognized Author with 263+ ISI-indexed publications and over 300 entries in INSPIRE-HEP

  • 🧠 Habilitation (Agregação) in Physics – Portugal (1996)

  • 📚 400+ total publications including scientific outreach writings

Publication Top Notes

1. Is cosmological data suggesting a nonminimal coupling between matter and gravity?

  • Journal: Physics of the Dark Universe

  • Publication Date: May 2025

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.dark.2025.101861

  • Authors: Miguel Barroso Varela, Orfeu Bertolami

  • Summary: This paper investigates whether current cosmological data supports theories where matter and gravity interact via a nonminimal coupling. The authors compare observational data (e.g., from Pantheon+, DES, DESI, and eBOSS) with predictions from these alternative models and find stronger statistical evidence for nonminimal coupling over standard ΛCDM in several dataset combinations.

2. Gravitational wave polarizations in nonminimally coupled gravity

  • Journal: Physical Review D

  • Publication Date: January 6, 2025

  • DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevD.111.024014

  • Authors: Miguel Barroso Varela, Orfeu Bertolami

  • Summary: This paper explores how nonminimal matter-curvature coupling affects gravitational wave (GW) polarization modes. The analysis suggests that these modified gravity models introduce extra polarization modes, potentially observable by future GW detectors.

3. Chaotic behaviour of the Earth System in the Anthropocene

  • Journal: Evolving Earth

  • Publication Date: January 2025

  • DOI: 10.1016/j.eve.2025.100060

  • Summary: The paper discusses the Earth System’s dynamic instability in the Anthropocene epoch, emphasizing feedback loops and thresholds that could lead to chaotic planetary behavior under continued anthropogenic stress.

4. From a dynamic integrated climate economy (DICE) to a resilience integrated model of climate and economy (RIMCE)

  • Journal: The Anthropocene Review

  • Publication Date: December 2024

  • DOI: 10.1177/20530196231205486

  • Summary: Proposes a shift from Nordhaus’s DICE model to a more resilient framework (RIMCE) that incorporates climate tipping points and adaptive capacity, aiming for a more realistic integration of socio-economic and environmental risks.

5. Gravitational waves from a curvature-induced phase transition of a Higgs-portal dark matter sector

  • Journal: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics (JCAP)

  • Publication Date: October 1, 2024

  • DOI: 10.1088/1475-7516/2024/10/104

  • Summary: Analyzes how a phase transition in a Higgs-portal dark matter model, induced by spacetime curvature, could produce detectable gravitational wave signatures. The results connect early-universe particle physics with gravitational wave astronomy.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Prof. Orfeu Bertolami embodies the ideals of an Outstanding Scientist Award recipient. His remarkable scientific output, international collaborations, pioneering work in cosmology and gravitation, and his dedication to science education and outreach make him an exceptional candidate. His career demonstrates visionary thinking, interdisciplinary engagement, and a deep commitment to advancing fundamental physics and inspiring future generations.Recommendation: Strongly recommended for the Outstanding Scientist Award or Best Researcher Award. His achievements are not only outstanding in volume but deeply impactful in shaping contemporary physics and space research.

Yang Han | Condensed Matter Physics | Best Researcher Award

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Prof Dr.Yang Han | Condensed Matter Physics | Best Researcher Award

Google Scholar Profile

Orcid Profile

Educational Details:

Yang Han completed her Ph.D. in 2014 from Nanjing University, China. Following her doctorate, she pursued postdoctoral research at RWTH Aachen University, Germany, from 2014 to 2016, where she focused on [research focus, e.g., materials science, mechanical properties, etc.]. She then continued her postdoctoral work at the University of Lorraine, France, from 2016 to 2018, concentrating on [research focus, e.g., thermoelectric properties, molecular dynamics simulations, etc.]. With a strong background in first-principles calculations and numerical simulations, she now serves as a professor and Ph.D. supervisor at Harbin Engineering University.

Research and Innovations:

Yang Han has made significant contributions to the fields of material science and computational modeling, particularly through her innovative research using numerical simulations to understand the mechanical, thermal transport, electronic, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties of advanced materials. Her groundbreaking work has centered on the following key research innovations:

  1. Topological Defects and Heterojunctions in 3D Graphene Structures: Through the support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No. 12104111), Yang’s research has provided vital insights into the stability and physical properties of three-dimensional graphene structures. By exploring the influence of topological defects and heterojunctions, her research has enhanced the understanding of how these factors contribute to material performance, with potential applications in advanced electronics and nanotechnology.
  2. Natural Gas Hydrate Self-Protection Mechanisms: Under the Basic Research Funds for Central Universities, Yang’s research on natural gas hydrates has delved into the microscopic mechanisms that enable these structures to self-protect, which has crucial implications for energy storage and environmental sustainability. Her molecular dynamics simulations have uncovered novel pathways for optimizing the extraction and stability of natural gas hydrates.
  3. Combustible Ice Formation Mechanism: Another major contribution is her simulation study on the formation mechanism and physical properties of combustible ice. This research, funded by Central Universities’ Free Exploration Support Program, sheds light on the potential of combustible ice as a future energy source by providing a detailed understanding of its formation at the molecular level.
  4. Thermal Conductivity in Carbon Honeycomb Structures: At RWTH Aachen University, Yang’s work using high-performance computing resources has advanced the understanding of how tensile strain impacts the thermal conductivity of carbon-based materials. This research has potential implications for the development of advanced materials with tailored thermal properties for use in electronics and energy systems.
  5. Ab initio Calculations for Predicting Thermal Materials: Yang’s predictive models using ab initio calculations to discover new thermal materials have been pivotal in the design and application of next-generation materials with enhanced heat conduction properties. This project at RWTH Aachen University led to the development of methods that could revolutionize industries ranging from electronics to aerospace by providing better materials for thermal management.

These research innovations demonstrate Yang HAN’s pioneering contributions to material science, leveraging cutting-edge computational techniques to solve complex problems with wide-ranging impacts across multiple scientific and industrial domains.

Research Interest: 

Yang Han research focuses on utilizing numerical simulations to investigate the formation mechanisms and physical properties of natural gas hydrates. Her work delves into understanding how these hydrates form and stabilize at the molecular level, which has significant implications for energy storage and environmental applications. By employing molecular dynamics simulations, she provides crucial insights into the self-preservation behaviors of natural gas hydrates, aiding in their practical extraction and use as alternative energy sources.

Additionally, Yang has made substantial contributions to the study of the mechanical, thermal, electronic, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties of materials. Using a combination of first-principles calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and analytical models, her research investigates how various materials behave under different physical conditions. This includes exploring their conductivity, structural stability, and magnetic properties, which are essential for designing advanced materials for electronics, thermoelectric devices, and other high-performance applications. Her multi-disciplinary approach is instrumental in advancing the field of material science, offering potential innovations across a wide range of industries.

Contributions: 

Yang Han is a seasoned researcher with over 10 years of experience in the field of numerical simulations, specializing in the mechanical, thermal transport, electronic, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties of materials. Her work primarily involves first-principles calculations and molecular dynamics simulations, which allow her to explore and predict the behavior of materials under various conditions. Her research also extends to water clathrate structures, such as methane hydrate, which have significant implications for energy storage and environmental conservation.

Yang’s academic contributions include 29 SCI-indexed papers, with two of her publications being specially highlighted by the editorial office of Nanotechnology and one chosen as a SCIlight by the Journal of Applied Physics. These recognitions underscore the impact and innovation of her work in material science, particularly in advancing the understanding of material properties for real-world applications in energy and technology.

Top Notable Publications

Rapid growth of CO2 hydrate as a promising way to mitigate the greenhouse effect
Authors: S. Jia, L. Yang, Y. Han, T. Zhang, X. Zhang, P. Gong, S. Du, Y. Chen, J. Ding
Year: 2024
Journal: Materials Today Physics, Article No. 101548
Citations: Not yet available (2024 publication)

Buckling Hydrogenated Biphenylene Network with Tremendous Stretch Extent and Anomalous Thermal Transport Properties
Authors: X. Zhang, M. Poulos, K. Termentzidis, Y. Han, D. Zhao, T. Zhang, X. Liu, S. Jia
Year: 2024
Journal: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 128 (13), 5632-5643
Citations: Not yet available (2024 publication)

Ferroelectricity of ice nanotube forests grown in three-dimensional graphene: the electric field effect
Authors: T. Zhang, Y. Han, C. Luo, X. Liu, X. Zhang, Y. Song, Y. T. Chen, S. Du
Year: 2024
Journal: Nanoscale, 16 (3), 1188-1196
Citations: 2

DFT characterization of a new possible two-dimensional BN allotrope with a biphenylene network structure
Authors: Y. Han, T. Hu, X. Liu, S. Jia, H. Liu, J. Hu, G. Zhang, L. Yang, G. Hong, Y. T. Chen
Year: 2023
Journal: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 25 (16), 11613-11619
Citations: 5

Modulating thermal transport in a porous carbon honeycomb using cutting and deformation techniques
Authors: Y. Han, C. Zhao, H. Bai, Y. Li, J. Yang, Y. T. Chen, G. Hong, D. Lacroix, M. Isaiev
Year: 2022
Journal: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 24 (5), 3207-3215
Citations: 1

Stretched three-dimensional white graphene with a tremendous lattice thermal conductivity increase rate
Authors: Y. Han, Y. Liang, X. Liu, S. Jia, C. Zhao, L. Yang, J. Ding, G. Hong
Year: 2022
Journal: RSC Advances, 12 (35), 22581-22589
Citations: 3

Condition monitoring and performance forecasting of wind turbines based on denoising autoencoder and novel convolutional neural networks
Authors: X. Jia, Y. Han, Y. Li, Y. Sang, G. Zhang
Year: 2021
Journal: Energy Reports, 7, 6354-6365
Citations: 37

Prediction of equilibrium conditions for gas hydrates in the organic inhibitor aqueous solutions using a thermodynamic consistency-based model
Authors: S. Li, Y. Li, L. Yang, Y. Han, Z. Jiang
Year: 2021
Journal: Fluid Phase Equilibria, 544, 113118
Citations: 15

Tailoring the activity of NiFe layered double hydroxide with CeCO3OH as highly efficient water oxidation electrocatalyst
Authors: J. Ding, Y. Han, G. Hong
Year: 2021
Journal: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46 (2), 2018-2025
Citations: 14